By Yannis Mihanos: The Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao fight for many will decide boxing history when the two of them go at it on May 2nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. Oh, did I just say boxing history? Yeah right. To be more to the point this fight is all about boxing legacy.
Floyd Mayweather Jr (47-0) is the undefeated champion that puts everything on the line in this fight. All unforeseen factors that went on from last December lead him to take the big decision and fight his biggest threat, the only man alive who seems capable to stop his undefeated record: Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2).
It’s all about cementing or destroying legacy right here right now.
Both fighters have had great careers with many highs and very few lows but it comes a point at each person’s life where he must stand and face the truth. This is the moment of truth that all fans have been waiting for about 6 years.
And this is the time where all efforts to deliver boxing legacy will arrive to fruition.
Floyd Mayweather has been trying different training methods for this fight. I’ve watched him in videos doing swimming and also focusing very much on increasing his punch power with the ex-fitness trainer of Pacquiao, Alex Ariza. It’s more than obvious to me that Mayweather takes this fight very, very seriously, he also understands that is about cementing or destroying his boxing legacy.
Mayweather understands that he can leave nothing to chance, not against an opponent like Pacquiao. Not a single chance.
The boxing legacy of Mayweather can be destroyed or be seriously compromised if he comes sort of this high occasion, where all the boxing world will be watching.
If Mayweather gets stopped by an early knockout or loses by a wide unanimous decision, his previous unbeaten boxing record will mean little anymore.
This will also confirm that a planned career is never a big career. So there is a lot at stake for him. I believe that if he delivers a solid performance win or lose, he will cement his boxing legacy and most possible will have a rematch with Pacquiao.
But what about his big rival Pacquiao? Manny has been waiting for this moment for long 6 years. He too realizes that is about cementing or destroying boxing legacy.
His training too has been exhausting and rigorous, using many Mayweather lookalikes for sparring. It is also noticeable a confidence deriving from Pacquiao. He really believes that he can beat Mayweather. For him winning Mayweather will be a multilevel win, Roach calls it a fight of good vs evil I think he exaggerates a bit but this is how the majority of the world sees it.
If Manny is careless and gets stopped by a knock out like in the fight with Juan Manuel Marquez or if he loses by a wide margin he will disappoint many fans who expect from him a lot especially in his native country Philippines. If this happens then his boxing legacy will record him as the best number two in the world. He will definitely not get attacked like Mayweather because he is a very loveable character.
If though he delivers a trademark Pacquiao performance, win or lose he will cement his boxing legacy and possibly will continue on with or without Mayweather.
So Cementing or destroying legacy? What is it going to be? For the sake of boxing on May the 2nd, I hope that both fighters will give their best and guarantee their place in boxing history.
I also want to hear from you the fans, your opinions about this in the comments bellow.
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